Retirees,
You need to pay attention. You're being manipulated by the new leadership of your chapter.

Before I go on, let me make one thing clear: I have always been against Mulgrewcare, from the very beginning. Unlike some—like a certain whiny blogger who was once in favor of Mulgrewcare and conveniently scrubbed all evidence of it from their blog—I've been consistent. Coincidence? Perhaps. The bigger coincidence is that if this same blogger had landed the cushy Unity gig they were clearly angling for with all their flattery, they'd be first in line advocating for the switch in healthcare.

Retirees need to remember where the actual power lies within Retiree Advocate. It is in no way a bottom-up organization but rather a top-down one, controlled and dominated by individuals with ties to the Democratic Socialists of America.

This brings me to the tragic murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, last week. Some are celebrating this murder, portraying Luigi Mangione as a folk hero. While I can understand Mangione's anger and motivations (and there’s still much to uncover about the circumstances), I cannot condone his actions. And now 

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for those affiliated with Retiree Advocates.

From the ICE Google Groups board (click to enlarge)...

Here is a link to the article that is being promoted.

Luigi Mangione is not Johnny Appleseed or Paul Bunyan. He is a fraud, a con artist, and a murderer. Yet, to those leading RA, he is a hero. Violence is violence, plain and simple!

But remember this: those who control RA have no problem condoning the actions of those who butchered and kidnapped Israelis on October 7. The leadership of RA supports the destruction of Israel. Shockingly, the Jewish members among them are even worse—self-loathing individuals, brainwashed by the DSA, desperate for acceptance in the gentile world. And of course, RA is now aligned with MORE and New Action.

To the many Jewish retirees out there: Is this what you voted for? Ask yourself that. Be concerned if a UFT Delegate Assembly in the future turns into this.

A scorpion wants to cross a river but cannot swim, so it asks a frog to carry it across. The frog hesitates,
afraid that the scorpion might sting it, but the scorpion promises not to, pointing out that it would drown if it killed the frog in the middle of the river. The frog considers this argument sensible and agrees to transport the scorpion. Midway across the river, the scorpion stings the frog anyway, dooming them both. The dying frog asks the scorpion why it stung despite knowing the consequence, to which the scorpion replies, "I am sorry, but I couldn't resist the urge. It's my character."

I have had a revelation. No longer will I blame the DOE, principals, and administrators for anything that befalls teachers. They do what they do because it is their way. They are the scorpions. 

Who is at fault? It's the UFT, the Unity Caucus. The UFT are the enablers. The UFT are the culprits. Uncle Mike Mulgrew is the frog. Uncle Mike Mulgrew is the one we should turn our blame to when we are crapped on, when we are rated, when we are harassed, or when we are not treated as professionals. Or worse, when we are not treated like human beings. The silence from 52 Broadway is loud. 

I was U-rated for the 2022–23 school year. I filed an appeal immediately. June 29 of last year. I have not had my hearing yet. I have been told from the UFT in no uncertain words, "It might take another year or two." 

When I asked why, I was told, "COVID backed everything up." Wait, COVID has been done for a few years now. For two straight years, everyone and their mother got effective or satisfactory ratings. How many U-rated appeals must there be? I was met with silence from the UFT.

Even if true, isn't there, or at least there should be, some type of right to a speedy hearing? Do criminals have more rights than teachers? 

Another teacher, a teacher that is currently in a 3020a and got a U rating the same year as I did, had her U rating appeal hearing in the middle of a 3020a hearing. Yes, you read that right (more on how the hearing went at another date). 

So here we have a teacher fighting charges. This teacher in the 2021–22 school year received a developing rating, but their MOTP was ineffective. Betcha didn't know they could use that MOTP to bring you up on charges. Oh, by the way, But they nailed this teacher for two years in a row of allegedly bad teaching. 

But I have digressed. So what would happen if the teacher won their U rating appeal? Does the 3020a hearing end? Or say if there is no decision for the U rating and the arbitrator terminates the teacher and the appeal comes back in favor of the teacher? Does the teacher get their job back? Along with the back pay?

Another teacher went out on sick leave not to return this year. The teacher's leave began in the last week of February 2024. The teacher's health was in perilous condition. The teacher had been observed twice and was rated as developing the year before (2022–23).

The teacher received an email with her rating sheet at the end of June. She was U-rated. Like me, she was removed arbitrarily and capriciously from Advance and given a rating that was not deserved. Her appeal will probably be heard around 2030, before mine ever sees the light of day. 

Why does all this happen? Because the UFT-Unity allows it to happen. 

When we appeal, that should stop the clock. No further actions should be taken on 3020a's. We should be able to work per session. We should have all we should have while anything is on appeal. This is a civil rights matter. We are being denied our due process. 

The source of your hurt must no longer be directed at your administrators. Your hurt should be directed at those out of touch with reality working in the fantasy world they created at their gilded castle at 52 Broadway. 

 Many don't know that Mike Mulgrew is an avid theater fan. And still many are unaware that Mulgrew leads a theater company known as "Mulgrew & Company." In fact, Mulgrew must always have the lead part. It's written into his contract. This has caused some issues when the theater company put on "The
Miracle Worker."

Anyhoo, the theater company is now in rehearsals of their version of "The Producers." But for some curious reason, instead of Mulgrew playing Max Bialystock, the character's name is actually Mike Mulgrew. And instead of a play about a conman ripping off little old ladies for a musical, it's now a musical about a conman ripping off little old ladies and little old men. 

Members of The Crack Team snuck into some of the rehearsals without audio but took copious notes of what they witnessed and we here at SBSB are sharing for the first time.

The Overture:

New York City was having trouble, what a sad, sad story 

Needed a man to save a lot of money 

Where, Oh where was he? 

Where could that man be? 

We looked around and then we found 

The man for Mayor Adams. And now it's..

Springtime for Mulgrew and Tom Murphy

Adams is happy and and won't say nay

We're marching to retirees to a faster death

Look out, there goes master health

Springtime for Mulgrew and the MLC

Winter for retirees and and in service

Springtime for Mulgrew and the MLC

Come on, New Yorkers, go into your dance

Don't be stupid, be a smarty, come and join the Unity party

Scene in Mulgrew's Office:

Don't you see, darling Bloom, glorious Bloom? It's so simple. STEP ONE: We claim  that the city is $600 million  in the hole and don't tell any of the rank and file about it.. STEP TWO: I tell lots of little old ladies, little old men, all retirees teachers, DC 37, the MLC, all the unions mayors . STEP THREE: You go back to work on the books, two of them - one for the retirees, one for us. You can do it, Bloom; you're a wizard! STEP FOUR: We set up with Aetna for Medicare Advantage plan. STEP FIVE, We act like we care, like we really believe the crap we're laying on the retirees and in- service members.And before you can say STEP SIX we watch more retirees drop dead and/or get denied and save the city big bucks !!! STEP SEVEN: We take our million bucks in kickbacks from Aetna and fly to *Rio!*

Tom Murphy (As Leo Bloom): My blanket! My blue blanket! Give me my blue blanket!

The amazing UFT election season is over. Unity got 66 percent of the vote. Will there be a coup at the top of Unity? It remains to be seen. What should happen next?

A former groupie (Oh well. There are many more groupies out there) told me just before the election that if Unity were to win  the Coalition must not only stay together but must--and I am paraphrasing here--act as a shadow union and respond to each and every move by Unity as well be a de facto "shadow government."

So what can, as well as should, the Coalition do as the loyal opposition? 

The First DA in September

Resolution to make all Delegate Assembly meetings open to the rank and file through online and/or through the phone. It is time for the all dues paying members to see how Unity controls the DA and clamps down on issues that do not toe the party line. 

Second, a resolution to make all voting at the DA to make voting secret. The technology is there. It's been used to for those voting by phone. Time for the same for in person voting. Get a few kids from Stuyvesant to create an app or add to the UFT app and let all vote their conscience. Update 5/22 It has come to my attention that the DA now has secret voting. My apologies for being incorrect.

Executive Board

Same goes with the executive board. It's time that all members can see and hear what is going on there. Plus, for those that wish to speak before board and unable to schlep to 52 Broadway phone and/or video must be codiciled within the UFT constitution.

A Long Campaign

The campaign for 2025 begins today. The Coalition did a great job with only very little time as a coalition. Yes, 2025 is three years away but it will be here before we know it. 

Stay on the Offensive

Fuck pissing of Unity and the UFT. Do it to them before they do it to you. Make everything public that the coalition is doing and thinking. Put them back on their heels.

Raise Money

This will be hard but there needs to be money in the coffers. A source of funds. Find a celebrity sugar daddy. Why...?

Because We Are About to Get Screwed

On the next contract. Yep, we are. We need to get the word out there how crappy it will be. The work that the Coalition put into the election will be needed to share with the rank and file how crappy the new contract will be. Flyers and Happy Hours will be needed.

Medicare (Dis)Advantage

Shackles are now off of Mulgrew. See above.

Don't Give Up

Be persistent. Be a thorn in the buttocks of Unity/UFT. Think steps ahead. Make Unity/UFT be reactive to the Coalition. 

 Yard Signs!!! 

I know I sound like a broken record... But while I am on the point let's visit some things I have said in the past:

Speak to one teacher ask them to speak to ten teachers. Give them enough leaflets, information, websites, emails, to share with their colleagues. United for Change must think of itself as Amway or Mary Kay.

I've said it before, and I will say it again. I have a friend who is in direct mail. Let's see what he can do for UFC. 

But don't go inside. The UFT represents nurses at (I forget how many) city hospitals. Don't go in the operating room but rather linger outside and follow some of the above ideas. And go to other non education places that the UFT represents. 

Unless we try we will never know if any of the above will work. 

 It's coming down to crunch time. UFT election Ballots are due a week from Monday, May 9. The counting of those ballots I believe, will be the next day. Then we wait. Will UFC win? Will Unity win in a landslide or will it be close?

From Norm's blog of April 4...

But if the votes come out and Unity wins, but takes a big hit on the numbers – and that’s what I think will happen, will that send a clear message? Will Unity adjust some of its policies? Will they find a new leader?

But if Unity gets into mid-60s or less, which would be an overwhelming win in normal elections, in the UFT that opens up real danger signs for Unity. 

Norm and I had this same discussion back in January.  I had blogged that fear has encapsulated Unity and  last month that it appears that the smell wafting from Unity is one of fear.  

Will there be reform within the UFT if Unity does wind? Not with the recent percentage of votes it has had in recent elections. Winning with those numbers will just let those at the UFT to unclench their sphincters and continue on as they have in the past, even if they lose the high school executive board. 

But, what if Unity wins and the vote total is sixty percent or less? Or if the retirees (which about 15k voted for Unity in 2019) turns to United for Change, yet Unity still wins? Will there be reforms? 

Overall, there won't be any real reforms. At least not with the current leadership in charge. What will be needed will be a scapegoat. And that scapegoat should be and will be Mike Mulgrew. 

But Mulgrew will not fall on his sword as he should. That would be the grown up thing to do. The responsible thing to do. But it shan't happen. 

What should happen, and what does The Crack Team thinks will happen? A simple Coup d'état of the presidency of the UFT is all that is needed. Mind you, we here at SBSB are not advocating for any violence or revolution within Unity ranks. Rather, a peaceful coup in which several of those at Unity tell Mulgrew his time is up and it is time to move on to something else. 

Find an Elba for Mulgrew. Staten Island is already an island so that is a good start. But seriously. Give him a retirement party, the gold watch and what not and let him live off his DOE and UFT pensions. If they want, give him a gig at AFT headquarters in Washington or something. There are some really good people within the UFT and the get besmirched with guilt by association with his name. I wouldn't doubt they are thinking the same way. 

One way or the other Mulgrew must go. And if it is not by outright victory of United for Change then those within Unity have to do what is ethically and morally right.

Yes, the ballots are out. I got my ballot in the mail on Monday. Simple for me. I am voting the UFC slate. No vote splitting for me. In 2019 I did not vote slate and vote for both Solidarity candidates and deserved candidates from Unity. In fact Chaz the Blogger was known to do this (here and here). Even NYCDOEnuts is doing so this year (here and here). I disagreed with them but as those who knew Chaz and know NYCDOEnuts know both men of their convictions. 

But something is amiss out there. Word has been filtering into the SBSB news room as well as to members of The Crack Team that a another form of ballot splitting occuring. Which can be quite ominous for the Unity ticket.

From what we here have heard is that many members of Unity are fed up with Mulgrew. That this year nstead of voting for the Unity slate,  these people with be voting  Camille Eterno for president and voting for the rest of Unity. 

Of course this is anecdotal, and some of it has come to us as second hand. But where there is smoke there is fire. So far in this election cycle we are seeing things never before seen from Unity. There have been attacks upon the opposition on Twitter and a professionally created web page. We have seen talking points and slogans that seem to have originated with focus groups and let's not forget one more thing; The smell of real fear coming from Unity. 

Now of course we don't know how many in Unity are ballot splitting. We don't know if those that are taking this path are "official" members of Unity or just regular rank and file teachers like you and me. Heck, we don't even know if its a few dozen or so who are doing this or if there are hundreds. There is no way to know. But what we do know this years election cycle is different than in years past. 

What does this say about Unity if that many are fed up with Mulgrew? Look long term. The worst thing for Unity would not be for it to lose the election, but to get under sixty percent of the vote. At least a total lost there probably will be people willing to fall upon there swords and have the foresight to reform the caucus. But if Unity stays in control and loses a significant percentage of votes the bloodletting can and will begin. It's time for the Unity house of cards to have some damage.

 On or about July 1 when United for Change wins the election there will lots to do. Hopefully, UFC and the new leadership will hit the ground running. But there is one thing that must be done immediately. 

There must be a forensic audit of the financials of the United Federation of Teachers. It's time to know
exactly where our dues monies have gone. Who know what will be found.

Are there off shore accounts in Switzerland? Cayman Islands? Which politicians have been paid off or donated to? What "perks" have been giving to UFT leadership over the years? 

Where are the real estate holdings? Are there cars? Trips to Hawaii? Vegas? The rank and file demands to know where the dollars went and also to whom.

There is one problem. As I was discussing with near octogenarian fanboi yesterday, there is too much time between when the elections results are announced and July 1. What does that mean?

Those six weeks are more than enough time for UFT Unity to shred papers, burn papers, silence and the possible disappearance of the accountants, destroy hard drives. Remember, always follow the money.

 UFT Unity has that market researched line; "We do the Work." So before you check that box for for the Unity slate let's see what kind of work they have done. 

In 2002 looked the other way as mayoral control of the city schools happened. It was downhill after this.

In 2005 we lost seniority transfer, grieving letters to file unless it was a contract violation,gained the Open Market transfer system. Letters to file no longer were removed once you left s school. Before this if you were in a bad situation you could find another school and go there. But not anymore, especially with fair student funding coming into play. Veteran teachers were shit out of luck. Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers. 

What did the above begat? It begatted the Bloomberg Doctrine of "all you need is a heartbeat and you too can be a principal." We got the brand new Leadership Academy where even though one had six months in education one can become a principal. Like this little turd blossom. Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers.

 It begatted (haha) thousands of teachers in the Absent Teacher Reserve pool. Too many teachers in fact. Worse yet, too many older teachers with institutional experience and large salaries. That begat Rubber Rooms gone wild. The warehousing of "teachers" who need to be made examples of. I'll never forget a teacher walking into the Rubber Room in disbelief muttering, " I'm here because I had a Coke in my hand." Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers. 

What did that begat? It begatted hundred of teachers being brought up on bullshit 3020a charges. See above. Losing seniority transfer, grieving letters, and fair student funding that. Teachers were literally dying. Nothing. Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers.

What did that begat? It begatted the war on teachers and education. Charters, testing, tenure going from three years to four. APPR. Danielson. Oh yeah, "we got you eight strands, be happy." Fuck that. Guess what? APPR is still a weapon. In fact a worse weapon. At least everyone with a U could fight it. Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers.

What did that begat? It begatted the war on teachers and education. Going from 2009 to 2014 without a contract. Oh yeah, the retro was to be paid out over six years. Unless you were terminated, quit, or dropped dead. So money you earned you would not be allowed to have. Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers.

What did that begat? It begatted abusive administrators, overwork, an unenforced contract, three hundred lawyers at Tweed. It begatted worn out teachers. It begatted teachers who feel the union doesn't have it's back. Thatis unless the union will know it will win and the stack is decked in its favor beforehand. We basically have a risk adverse union. Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over teachers.

More begatting. The worst, the absolute worst. The backroom dealing and scheming of Mulgrew going behind the backs of the retirees and nearly forcing them into some untested, shell company, death watch. How dare Mulgrew force retirees into some untested, unseen, fake Medicare? Hear that? That's the thud of the UFT bus driving over retirees and then backing up the bus.

Worse, we have a union that has collapsed upon itself. Too much inter-marrying amongst the union leadership all the way down to the schools. The UFT has lost touch with itself and with the rank and file. The UFT would rather lose power to a bunch of upstarts instead of looking in the mirror and seeing what it can do to reform itself. History is replete with this happening to the monarchies of Europe. There must be one history teacher in the upper echelon of the UFT.

This is not Mulgrew's union or Unity's union. It is your union and our union. A revolution is coming.

 Smell that? It's fear. Desperation. It's exuding from 52 Broadway.

This is my fifth go round of being involved one way or the other with these union elections. What I've seen from the UFT Unity caucus this year is unprecedented.

The Crack Team assembled this afternoon to see if my hypothesis is correct. They crunched the data and looked back at the last two election cycles, 2016 and 2019, to use as a control group. They decided not to use 2010 because it was too far back and social media was still in its infancy and 2013 was excluded due to it being MORE was still in its infancy (I'm not trying to disparage MORE here, in fact I forget if MORE ran anyone in this election).

If we look at 2016 MORE was building up steam and was well organized. But there was also Solidarity which, if memory serves, was running in its first election. 

Both opposition groups were pretty much at loggerheads then and one could reasonably say they split ticket, however MORE did win the high school seats. But, could be seen as a wake up call for UFT Unity, but it wasn't. In the past, the opposition had won high school seats and in my opinion UFT Unity just dealt with it.

In 2019, was a real hullabaloo. MORE was in disarray and not really trying (Again, I am not disparaging MORE) and Solidarity was trying to pick up the pieces from... how do I say this? Shit happening. Yet, with all this Solidarity made a surprise second place showing. 

So this is the extreme brief take as well as history on the previous two elections. I am sure there are many who can fill in the missing pieces in the comments section and I welcome them to.

Social media started to "take off" as well in the previous two elections. Even on the UFT Unity side. The Crack Team did a search on Twitter for January 1-May 15 for both years. In both those election cycles the UFT Unity Twitter account was basically used to tout Unity and to get out the vote (Click here and here for search of UFT Unity tweets for those years). As you can see, nothing even mentioning opposition groups. 

This year, things apparently have changed. The UFT Unity twitter account seems to be mirroring the same type of tweets by United for Change in which executive board members and other candidates are introduced. Usage of Unity's "blog" and/or website to dig at the opposition. Mayhem at the Delegate Assemblies. UFT officers attacking the rank and file. Claiming others are not doing the work when others are not in power to. 

Even a plethora of disingenuous blog posts.

Why is UFT Unity running scared? Two reasons I have noticed. 

Anecdotally, in speaking with in service members I personally (Again this is from my personal experience. There is nothing scientific about this data ) am hearing from many disaffected members of the rank and file. Members are done with the lack of leadership from COVID, to constant abuse by administrators, to bogus AARP ratings, to justs a general mistrust of the union leadership in particular how out of touch Mike Mulgrew is. 

But that is not UFT Unity's biggest problem. Like a boil on the buttocks of the UFT that needs to be either lanced or popped the faction that was most loyal and actually votes is fed up. Care to guess? 

The retirees.

How the gosh darn does one turn against their most loyal votes as Mulgrew has by shoving Medicare (Dis)Advantage down retirees throats? Where is the logic? Why is this done without ANY input from retirees? Why is this done with nothing but, "Trust us, it'll be great," when there is nothing but a blank paper to show?

How can Mulgrew force retirees into Medicare (Dis)Advantage buy claiming, "You will be able to continue with your own medical providers," when there is no list of doctors, therapists, hospitals, that are on the plan! How does this make any sense? 

What does Mulgrew have to say to an 85 year old retiree who lives on a fixed income, as several medical ailments and is being forced to choose between Medicare (Dis)Advantage in which the retiree has no idea what to expect or paying $190 a month to keep their Medicare.

Yeah, I know a judge just sided with the retirees. But does anyone really trust Mulgrew? I know I don't. 

UFT Unity is in a lose lose situation. If the percentage of their vote dips below 65 percent there will be a bloodletting in Unity and if not we will have a hobbled union when contract negotiations start in earnest.

 Does Unity/UFT "Do the Work" as they claim to be? You know what? I now have an open mind concerning that statement and willing to give the benefit of the doubt to the UFT that they do the work.

What we need is an example of someone going to the UFT for something as simple as scheduling an
appointment for a pension consultation. I wonder if there are anyone's stories I can use? Hey! How about my story. OK, I convinced myself. 

Back in November I called the UFT to make an appointment for my pension consultation. I placed the call when I got onto the Major Deegan at Yankee Stadium. Immediately I was told that my call was important and that someone would answer it shortly. Bad music was played and I kept on hearing the voice of Él Presidenté'(Is this renaming?) Mike Mulgrew.

My usual route home is north on the Deegan, get on the Cross County going east to the Bronx River north, merge onto the Sprain and then east on I-287 to White Plains.

As I approached the Cross County I was still on hold. Now, I had a decision to make. Continue on my normal route and risk the call being dropped. There is a dead zone for AT&T right around Jackson Ave on the Sprain. There is also a shaky cell area on the Bronx River around Harney Road in Eastchester. I couldn't risk it. 

So I decided to continue up the Thruway to 287. At this point I was on hold about 30 minutes (traffic up the Deegan in the afternoon means about 30 minutes just to Yonkers). I got on to 287 in Elmsford and just then, someone picked up. I was on hold for about 45 minutes! But nonetheless, Praise be to Moses and Golem!!

Several days later I get this email from Bluna Poderhertz (Is this bad renaming?)regarding my appointment with Chaim Rosenbaum (Renaming?).

Unfortunately, a week or so later I found out I got an after school per session gig and promptly emailed Bluna. 

Bless his hear, but Chaim called me that day at 4:20 wondering where I was. I guess Chaim didn't get the memo. I told him I would call to reschedule, but again had a long time on hold and no one ever go back to me. I should have been more proactive.

With Thanksgiving happening, the holidays coming up, Omicron, me getting COVID, I put it off. I should have reached out myself. Too much mishagas and chazerei happening at the same time. And just the fact that four days a week the earliest I was getting home was 5:30 two days a week, and 6:30 the other two nights.

BUT! I did reach out to the UFT this past Tuesday for a pension consult and was told that in a few days, yes a few days, someone will be contacting me. 

I'm still waiting.

 

 I'm not going to get into a debate regarding what is and what isn't social justice. I have shared my own ideas on these pages how social justice should be handled. But as to paraphrase Justice Potter Stewart "I know social justice when I see it." UFT Unity's attempt at claiming it is the true social justice party is quite laughable.

While the opposition caucuses seem to think that tweeting is how you do political action, they couldn’t find it in themselves to contribute a single tweet to the work of passing the paraprofessional pension legislation. Reading their social media, one would not even know that paraprofessionals existed.

It’s easy to ‘talk the talk’ of social justice unionism.

This not social justice. This should be called, "Doing what you should be doing and because it is the right thing to do and putting members dues to good work justice." 

The definition of Social Justice is as follows...

"justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society."

Yes, I will give kudos and props to the UFT increasing the rights, pay, and working conditions of paras. Paras are underrated and overworked. They deserve so much more. I have worked with some fantastic paras over the years and they make life so much easier. I hope they get more in the next contract and continue to for years. But this is not social justice.  

But let's use UFT Unity's skewed logic on social justice and see what they should do since UFT Unity is the "true blue social justice" caucus.

Medicare (Dis)Advantage aka Mulgrewcare

Explain how throwing thousands upon thousands of retirees into MAP is social justice? These are retirees with years of relationships with their current doctors. Many retirees who live on an extremely fixed income. Retirees who are scared and anxious of this sudden and illegal change. How is this social justice?

Teacher Harassment

Teachers are being harassed left and right by abusive administrators. Still. There was supposed to be an avenue on the latest contract on how to fight back against abusive administrators. Has the UFT ever successfully, let alone brought a case to either a chancellor's hearing or arbitration against a abusive administrator? I mean just for one individual teacher, not an entire chapter (While we here at SBSB to applaud this). How is this social justice?

Better yet, if Unity UFT really wants to show how social justicey they really are why are there not workshops at UFT borough offices on how to document and fight back against abusive administrators? 

One SBSB groupie is still fighting back against years of abuse. 

ATRs

Do I need to elaborate? Is this social justice. Oh wait, how much time and energy did the "true blue social justice" caucus of the UFT put into blocking an ATR chapter from forming? How is this social justice?

Retro Pay

Bad enough that teachers had to wait 11 years to get what was owed them. But to pour salt into the wound of teachers that were terminated, quit, or died without their well deserved as well earned back pay was just wrong. How is this social justice?

Concierge Service

I freaking hate it!  How is this social justice?

Abuse of Camille Eterno

How is defaming Camille Eterno, a proud unionist and mommy to two wonderful children social justice?  

Lack of Democracy and Transparency

The DA's are nothing more than propaganda. Rules aren't followed. There is no real debate. For some perverse reason I as an elementary teacher must vote for VP of High Schools. District Leader s are anointed. Those that suckle on the colon are rewarded. How is this social justice? 

I can go on and on, but the above is what popped into my head. I am sure there will be more in the comments. 

But please, Unity UFT is not, nor will ever be, the social justice caucus.  

And lastly....

The UFT election is right around the corner!

 

 One does much thinking when one is snowed in. For some reason, yesterday's blog post (for whatever reason), kept popping into my head. Something is in the air I haven't seen in the twelve years I have been participating in elections. What could it be and why has it happened?

The answer is simple. Mulgrew and Mulgrew. It comes down to his hubris and tone deafness. There are many examples, in fact too many, over the years. But one example stands out among all others. 

To me it boils down to how Medicare (Dis)advantage has been handled by him. Of course, his handling of COVID has left a lot to desire. But at least in 2020 and through last school year I was giving him the benefit of the doubt. I saw something different coming from him, though it turned out to be fleeting. But I want to focus on the handling of Medicare (Dis)advantage and how this is just a continuation of how he is clueless.

In my opinion and I am going to be a retired soon, retirees simply don't want their pensions and health care fucked with (pardon my french). They don't want surprises. How simple can it be? I am thinking ahead to my retirement. All will care about from the UFT is my pension and my health care. 

There are many types of retirees. Some are quite wealthy. Some are living check to check. Some are healthy. Some aren't. What Mulgrew has done is bring all those with many different agendas and lives together and they have banded together to oppose this joke Medicare and Mulgrew. 

If Medicare (Dis)advantage was inevitable as Mulgrew has claimed, why then was there a lack of transparency. Were retirees kept up to date during negotiations? Was the input of a diverse group of retirees, including those that opposed Mulgrew asked for? If not, how come? If so, how much input was asked for and received?

Does Mulgrew realize the tsuris he has laid on the retirees? Seriously, does he? 

If Medicare (Dis)advantage was inevitable as Mulgrew has claimed, why was there a rush to have retirees sign up by January 1, sight unseen? I wouldn't sign my name to anything without reading it first, how could Mulgrew have accepted this without a complete list of providers? Shouldn't one want to know what they are signing up for? Heck, why wasn't Medicare (Dis)advantage rolled out over a period of time?

Did Mulgrew try to lead in finding serious savings in the traditional Medicare coverage? From what was explained to me, Medicare pays 80 percent and Emblem 20 percent. There weren't any savings to be had? 

The big question to Mulgrew is why there was ZERO transparency. Give an answer!

We have lacked transparency coming from 52 Broadway time and time again. Mulgrew might just have finally touched the proverbial third rail.

Trust me. Free Fitbits, food delivered to hospitals, and rides to providers is not enough to sell Medicare (Dis)advantage. This might not be Joe Namath Medicare (Dis)advantage as Mulgrew claims, but it is at the very least Al Woodall's version. 

Retirees vote. Retirees are pissed.

Smell that? It's fear and it's emanating from 52 Broadway. The green cloud of fear is hovering over UFT headquarters. For first time in years there is a real chance of Unity losing control of the UFT as well as the rank and file. Unity might become irrelevant.

I got involved for the first time in the UFT elections in 2010 and been involved one way or the other in every election since. Something different is happening in 2022. 

The retirees are beyond pissed. What was once a reliable sure fire  vote for Unity now seems completely fractured. How can anyone that is being forced into Medicare (Dis)advantage vote against their interests? If Mulgrew and Unity have already thrown the retirees under the bus what would stop Mulgrew again? 

The trolls are also coming out. In the past, there wasn't any Unity trolling on Twitter. But as I mentioned on Sunday, this election cycle there is. Let's not forget others who are on the UFT payroll using their own UFT Twitter accounts to bash and scare the rank and file. 

In fact looking back at the Unity/UFT in 2019 there weren't any attacks against the opposition. Yet in 2022 as I shared last week there is an attack. One thing I noticed, there the comment section is turned off on that blog, I wonder why. But here it is that blog post again. Read the fear.

The scuttlebutt I am hearing, as well as being shared with The Crack Team, from the rank and file is different this year than in the past. This year there appears to be many more teachers fed up with the direction of the union. But along with that there is more knowledge and interest in the election.

And how can we forget this harbinger of what's to come? November's loss of control of the Delegate Assembly. Desperation and confusion combined. 

Reports are coming in to the SBSB newsroom of petitioners being harassed. Also, teachers who wish to pass out United for Change flyers being told they are not allowed.What does Unity fear?

Will UFC win? It'll be hard. It can be done. But even in losing, as one near octogenarian fanboi has explained...

"If Unity gets less than 60 percent of the vote, real damage will be done."

Fear is in the air. So is change. 

 This is definitely a "can't help but looking while driving by a car accident moment." Unity/UFT has a blog. I hadn't known that, and I will welcome their blog to my blog roll. But we here at SBSB are disappointed, yet wonder why, the Unity/UFT blog has yet to enable the ability for one to leave comments. Would this not be a lively venue to debate the issues of the day? A place for Unity/UFT to have unfettered access into the minds of the rank and file?

The Crack Team has come across this most recent blog post of Unity/UFT entitled; "UNITY/UFT: Doing the Work Without the Drama!" Really? For real? Are you kidding? 

¡Uno momento por favor!

This blog post is so easy to take apart line by line, idea by idea. But let's just focuson two points being propagandized by Unity/UFT for now.

No drama? Let's just take a look at the first sentence of the blog post...

We have said it before and we will say it again – we sincerely believe in working together in UNITY. 

Where was this so called "working together" that the blog post espouses in switching retirees who were expecting Medicare when they were to retire over to the Medicare (Dis)advantage? 

There are tens of thousands of retirees right now that are scared shitless of what is about to happen. There are retirees with serious health issues that are extremely scared that the doctors and medical providers that will no longer be available to them. And don't forget their spouses as well.   They are being forced to blindly sign up for this abomination of a health plan, whilst those that control the union can only say, "Trust us."

What about those retirees who are fixed incomes? Living month to month by the seat of their pants, now must pay hundreds of dollars a month to keep their Medicare as they knew it? That they must choose between eating or dying. 

What of the retired teacher who dreamed of retiring to Wyoming? Think there will be doctors there that will be on NYC's Medicare (Dis)advantage? Doubtful, very doubtful.

There is no working together with retirees. There is only, "This is the plan. You can like it or lump it." That is not working together. That is not we teach our students. Why does Unity/UFT act in such a manner? Unity/UFT has created drama and perpetuated drama. 

Unity/UFT is taking it's most loyal voting bloc and who just happen to be the most vulnerable members and throwing them under the bus. Why would retirees wish to vote for Unity? 

Yet another contradictory and tone deaf statement from the blog...

No drama or theatre of the absurd. No spreading of misinformation. We speak to facts and facts only.

Really, Gracie? No theater of the absurd? No spreading of misinformation? Facts only? 

Then explain this Twitter troll:

I know, I know. The profile for the trolls says, "views are my own." But there is a pretty good idea who this person might be. This blog has been trolled by this person troll. So has another blog. But I enjoy his tweets and the comments. Keeps me and others laughing. 

Unity/UFT is projecting the drama they claim to hate.

 I think there is going to be a big surprise just before the UFT elections. Call me jaded, call me a cynic, but the UFT never does anything without a reason. 

Think about this. We lost our spring vacation almost two years ago. April 2020. Twenty months ago. At the October 2020 town hall Mulgrew said...

When arbitration is back up, we will move forward on Spring Break. Medical accommodations are based on a medical condition. We would have to do another one in Jan. Same documentation and everything.

The September 2020 town hall Mulgrew sayeth to the masses...

Dealing with the craziness that included Spring break which still needs to be dealt with.

I asked this almost a year ago on December 27, 2020...

For the answer President Mulgrew gave at the town hall of October 15, again, it seems that arbitration is now back up. Where in the pipeline is our monies? How long does the process take?  

We were told not too long ago that the final arbitration on our spring break pay will come this month, December 2021. 

But a question remains. If the arbitration is a victory, when will we get the money? 

The Crack Team has been trying to crack this mystery. There were many a late night session in which there was bickering and disagreement. Many a late night were had. Finally, a member of The Crack Team decided to go the computer. The algorithm was fed and the results were spat out.

Some might say The Crack Team's computer and/or the algorithm is skewed. Or, the information fed to the computer was jaded and cynical.

We will get the monies owed in our direct deposits week or two before the UFT election. And of course who gets to call the date for the election? Of course. UFT/Unity.

The computer must be right. Think about it. Why wouldn't it be?

Thousands of teachers get thousands of dollars they are owed for almost two years. Guess who will puff out his chest and say, "See what I did? I fought for you! I made you whole again!" 

And UFT/Unity will be like Justin Trudeau and call for early elections in just a few weeks. Or, and this is even more cynical, the election date will be already called and the checks will be mailed out just before the election starts. But either way, teachers will vote while having several thousand dollars more in their accounts and the great many of unwashed will thank UFT/Unity. And then vote Unity.  

But when these teachers vote for those that blessed them with money, what will they say when they want to see Dr Vinnie Boombotz for a prostate issue and find out he doesn't accept any Medicare (Dis)Advantage  patients?

I hope the computer is wrong. We shouldn't need to feel jaded and cynical when it comes to our union. We should feel we are partners with our union. We shouldn't have waited almost two years for A HEARING for our monies. 

But watch. The spring break money and the election will be intertwined.

 

 It's that time of the year. No, not the traditional holiday season, but rather the UFT election season. And what does that mean? Plenty of opportunities to partake in adult beverages, fine food, and good people. 

For those not aware, UFT Solidarity, ICE/UFT, New Action, Educators of NYC, Retiree Advocate and the MORE Caucus have formed a coalition slate to run against Mike Mulgrew and his Unity caucus in the upcoming spring UFT Elections. Henceforth to be known as "United for Change".

United for Change is kicking off it's first Bronx Happy Hour on December 10, 2021, at the 
G Bar which is below Giovanni's at 579 Grand Concourse in the Bronx @149th St from 3:15 to 7:30. The entrance for the G Bar is on 150th St.

G Bar is easy to get to and easy to get home. The 2/4/5 trains are a few blocks away 149th St. If you are coming by car G Bar is just a few blocks away from the Deegan, Yankee Stadium, and the 149th St Bridge. And there is a dedicated parking lot on 150th St. Use this form (click here) to RSVP and let us know you are coming. The form just helps with the head count. If you don't want to fill out the form just show up and come have fun while hanging out with some great people. 

This is just a start. Thus far there is a Westchester County Happy Hour already being planned for January, as well as discussions on the possibility of a Saturday afternoon something in Orange and/or Rockland counties. So be on the look out for that!

Remember, Friday, December 10, at the G Bar which is below Giovanni's at 579 Grand Concourse in the Bronx @149th St from 3:15 to 7:30. The entrance for G B around the corner on 150th St.

I have been thinking on how to handle all these accusations that have befallen me the last week and how to fix the hazarai that I unintentionally created. What can I do? 

I thought about it long and hard driving up to Ithaca yesterday. Suddenly, a light bulb popped over my
head when I stopped in Hancock NY. I promptly contacted The Crack Team and instructed that at least 10 members (We need at least 10 to have a minyan) meet me in Binghamton. Hancock being about 45 minutes from Binghamton forced The Crack Team to charter a jet and meet me at the Spieidie and Rib Pit on Front Street just off of I-81 in Binghamtom. The Crack Team had shared with me that they had planned for such an occasion and on this blog post for the first time ever,  some of the evil planning will be revealed

The Crack Team has not only a mole within in the UFT and Unity but has surreptitiously bugged the Unity Election War Room. All what you are about to read took place on Monday, November 1, 2020 the day after a certain blog post that had been posted but since deleted. 

Names have been changed to protect the evil.

Larry the Lobster: Did you read Zucker's blog last nigh?

Squidward: Yeah, we are fucked. XXXX is going to be part of this so called coalition.

Pearl: We are. What are we going to do?

Mr Crabs: We have to call out the big guns. I have placed a call to Plankton and Man Ray. We will have them do our dirty work while it will keep our hands clean and we will have plausible deniability.

A few minutes later Plankton and Man Ray enter. All Unity members greet them with raised fists and chant, "All bow to the evilness of Plankton and Man Ray."

Mr Crabs: Welcome Plankton and Man Ray, what evil plans do you have for our enemies?

Plankton: We have already begun our evil plan against the others. On November 7, 2021 I will leave a paper bag of doody on the leader of XXXX's doorstep, light the bag on fire, ring the bell and run away. The leader will be forced to stomp out the fire and only then will realize he had fecal matter all over his feet. 

Mr Crabs: Excellent and diabolical! That plan will surely make the leader of XXXX  run away and hide. Man Ray, what is your plan? 

Man Ray: My plan is pure evil. I will make several phone calls on November 8 to (inaudible) and ask him, "We are calling from the electric company and doing a survey. Is your refrigerator running?" When he answers "Yes!" I will tell him that he "needs to go and get it! (An evil laugh is heard on the audio). 

The next day I will call (Again, inaudible), and ask "Do you have King Arthur in a can?" These two phone calls are what we in the evil business call "psych ops." (Inaudible) will be left to a shriveling shaking mass, left to sucking his thumb in the corner and rocking back and forth.

Plankton: Who gives a shit about (inaudible)? (Inaudible) is just a bit player, no one really takes (Inaudible) seriously!

Man Ray: No, you dick! (Inaudible) is the glue that holds them together. 

Plankton: Fuck off Man Ray! 

At this point Plankton and Man Ray start to brawl. Plankton's Karen comes in and starts to mock Plankton for getting his ass kicked by shouting, "You are not a real man!" Mr Crabs just sits back with an evil laugh and knows that all is going according to plan. The gloves have come off of Unity. It is now a fight of Good vs. Evil.

Come back to these pages as The Crack Team deciphers audio obtained from the Unity Election War Room and continues to debrief it's Unity mole.

 

 Hey how about that top ranked and award winning UFT Concierge service? 

FUCK THAT. Save it for another time. I got to get something off my chest. 

On Sunday I was planning to blog with those 12 crossed out words above. I came across something else that I thought was more newsworthy so I published that. What a shit storm? Out of deep respect for
someone else, I deleted it. It's gone. The link is dead. Don't go trying to find it. 

I want to clear up several accusations that have been made against me. 

Accusation of Mining for Blog Hits

First, I did not post what I posted on Sunday for "blog hits." I don't give a shit about blog hits. I care if something is newsworthy. It was newsworthy. Simple as that. I also don't need people to parrot that comment. Be fucking original. Be fresh.

If I cared about blog hits I would be blogging so much more frequently. If I blog twice a month that is a lot now. So go figure it out. Or as one SBSB fanboi said to me, "What's the big deal about wanting blog hits? I mean, you don't not date a girl because she is pretty."

Oh yeah, I forgot. I never sent out an email that I updated the blog nor did I tweet out the link. Wouldn't that add to the hits? 

Accusation of Being a Unity Plant and/or Working Undercover for Unity

Really? This has got to be one of the dumbest things I have heard about me EVER!

My Hatred of XXXX Has Clouded my Judgement

No, it hasn't. And it isn't hate. It's knowing that I don't need to see the sun rise in the East to know it is has risen in the East. However, I do know that to go forward, XXXX must be involved. If my hatred was so intense, I would have editorialized in the now deleted blog post. But I didn't.

Oh, and I never said I how awful XXXX is. Well, maybe several years ago. But now I say "I don't xxxxx XXXX. At least I don't act as someone's little xxxxx. 

Lest we forget comparing me to Porty about how I feel about XXXX is a double face palm.

But I can look in the mirror and say I am my own person and have my dignity. I don't go running back with my tail between my legs after being publicly and literally shat upon XXXX.

I Triggered People

Triggered? Now we are woke? Boo fucking hoo. Get over it.  I told my son when he left for college to be wary of those who whine about being triggered and people accusing others of micro-aggressions. Oops, does typing this now make me a MAGA? "Yeah, fucking god damn liberal Right Wingers."

This shit I posted on Sunday is not super duper classified information. Big fucking deal it was leaked by me. Own up to it. Run with it. But, really. I believe someone might be projecting,.

Accuse me of something, you better back it up. I been accused of too much shit lately that I haven't done. Worse, I don't need to be texted this shit when I am fucking teaching. 

 

 

 I am so not into today's Delegate Assembly. I usually sign up right away, but I am getting bored with the
same old same old. Besides I am kind of fed up.

Back in October's town hall, I asked a fairly innocuous  question...

"Is there a transcript of the arbitration hearing concerning our retro check and if so, when will it be made available to rank and file."

I received an email back from "John." In the email he shared with me that he is  following up with those that were involved and will get back to me. The email was sent on October 20. Today is December 16. 

I again asked the question at last month's town hall. As of today I did not get an email back.

I get it. I am not going to get picked to ask a question in a town hall or a DA? I don't genuflect. I am not a member of Unity. I am not a chapter leader. But at least have the decency to not only email me back but to answer my question honestly. 

So I am typing this and listening to the DA at the same time. I pressed zero as soon as I answered the call for the DA and spoke to Michael who took my question and was going to relay it. I am waiting.

What is the UFT hiding? If there isn't a transcript, let me know. If there is a transcript why can't I or any other member of the rank and see it? Doesn't the UFT wish for transparency? Transparency would easily do away with any rumors, innuendoes, and accusations that are going around concerning the leadership of the UFT. 

I'll make it easy for the UFT. I'll agree to go to a private room at 52 Broadway with other Unity people. Let me read the transcript without taking notes. Heck, I'll leave my phone at the security desk in the lobby. Better,  I'll strip down to my rather fashionable boxer briefs to assure there is no monkey business. 

If there is a transcript, I'd rather deal with the UFT in knowing if there is one and actually being able to read it. I guess the other method would be filing a FOIL request with the city and asking for it that way. I'm sure I can find someone, somewhere, in a different caucus other than Unity to file the FOIL request.

What's bothering me, what got me going about seeing the transcript is something Mulgrew said at the October DA which raised my eyebrow...

...and then on October 2 I asked for confirmation they were processing payment. Asked again.

 He knew something was up on October 2. Twelve days before we were told we would not be getting our retro monies on  October 15. There is no reason we could not have gotten a heads up sooner. This is what makes members question the UFT. This is what makes the rank and file nuts. 

By the way, the question portion of the DA has ended. My questions wasn't chosen. What a shocker.

Let's try this again. Is there or isn't there a transcript of the arbitration concerning the retro monies? A simple yes or no will suffice.

I have been a delegate to the UFT Delegate Assembly since October. To tell you the truth, it's pretty boring. One good thing is getting to go to Zabar's once a month. I park my car on West End Ave and take the train down from 79th St.

So during the resolution part of this past DA, the MORE Caucus, yet again, shows how completely out of touch they are with reality and the rank and file.

There was the typical stuff, all good mind you, supporting LA teachers, museum workers, and of course the federal workers. But then Dermott Myrie of the MORE Caucus had to open his mouth with his reso for, yep you guessed it, support of Black Lives Matter.

From Arthur's blog...

"UFT should support as part of action for cultural institutions. We should implement restorative justice, have ethnic studies. Week of action February 4-8. We have to rebuild union from bottom up. Resolved UFT will make demands on DOE to undo systemic racism"

OK. There are problems in the NYCDOE. There are problems across this country with people of color being targeted by the police. I support what BLM is trying to do. I do have a problem with BLM concerning it's stance towards Israel. But someone must speak out against how people of color are continually harassed by law enforcement and yes, BLM does give a voice to those who need it most.

BUT, the UFT Delegate Assembly is not the place for it.

Again, the MORE Caucus, as it is presently configured, must be there first and foremost for the rank and file of the UFT. This is no gray area. This is an absolute. Yet, the MORE Caucus repeatedly doesn't get it, or worse, doesn't give a shit. I tend to lean towards the latter.

Time and time again the MORE Caucus, particularly the de facto leaders of the MORE Caucus (Dermott Myrie is one), seem to just seek the approval and acceptance of the International Socialist Organization. Don't think for a moment that the ISO is not the puppet master when it comes the MORE Caucus. Orders are given, acquiescence is shown.

Is the MORE Caucus running a full slate? Doubtful. Yes, there are officers running but two are of these are fully controlled and aligned with the ISO, most are no names, and then you have Oswald Cobblepot. One officer though, does have their shit together.

Exec boards? Who? Last The Crack Team has heard the MORE Caucus is just planning to seek seats on the at-large exec board. That's a lot of seats to fill for a caucus that is shrinking faster than George Costanza after he left the cold pool.

Though, the MORE Caucus does have a selling point. Desperate for people to run on their ticket it has been reported back to the The Crack Team that the main selling point the MORE Caucus uses on people sitting on the fence is basically, "The troublemakers are no longer part of the MORE Caucus."

I guess the MORE Caucus considers anyone who speaks their mind, doesn't toe the official party line, and speak out against ex post facto "executions of character" a trouble maker. As one of those trouble makers who stood up against those who characters were being assassinated and for speaking out against rules made up on the fly I am proud.

A pee wee football team as a better chance of beating the Patriots in next week's Super Bowl than does the MORE Caucus have in beating Unity in the upcoming UFT election.

It is time for those who are running the MORE Caucus and those who are culpable in it's desecration to slither away and not be heard from again. It's time for the grown ups to clean up the mess.